To define the California Dream, USC University Professor Kevin Starr spent four decades writing eight books — a testament to the enormity and complexity of the task. Starr himself reportedly dubbed the project “foolhardy,” although the resulting series, Americans and the Californian Dream, is regarded as a masterful portrayal of the state’s soul, cementing his legacy as one of California’s foremost historians and revered public intellectuals.

Defining California may seem an impossible task, given the state’s immense size, from the sprawling deserts to the lush redwoods, its rich history, vibrant culture and remarkable diversity.

And yet, when we hear the phrase “California Dream,” we instinctively grasp its meaning. Like a song whose lyrics escape us but whose shimmering chords remain infinitely memorable, perhaps the best way to define California’s magic is to understand the animating notes — its dominating principles — that harmonize to create the siren call
of the Golden State.

Land of the Free

One such defining principle is undoubtedly freedom, most vividly symbolized by California’s love affair with the personal vehicle. Cruising down Pacific Coast Highway, ideally in the style of Richard Gere behind the wheel of a black Mercedes-Benz 450SL in American Gigolo, embodies the essence of California cool.

This obsession with freedom on wheels is more than cultural, it’s woven into the state’s infrastructure. In 1953, downtown Los Angeles became home to the world’s first freeway interchange, where four highways intersect in an audacious design that lets drivers change direction without slowing down.

“This ambitious structure exemplified the utopian ideal of freeways — the vision that one could drive through cities without ever stopping,” says Philip Ethington, professor of history, political science and spatial sciences.

California’s car-friendly infrastructure owes much to private citizens, many of whom sought to wrest monopolized control of transit and commerce from the then immensely powerful Southern Pacific Railroad company in the 1920s.

Angelenos united to form what Ethington dubs “the mothership of car culture,” referring to the Automobile Club of Southern California, known more generally as AAA, the American Automobile Association. The group lobbied aggressively for paved roads, traffic lights and scenic highways on behalf of its members, ultimately leading to the creation of iconic routes such as Mulholland Drive, which became synonymous with the freedom and allure of L.A.

Their efforts laid the foundation for a uniquely Californian brand of freedom that — aided by its immortalization in film and music — captivated the world. The Beach Boys fused surfing and cruising to pay homage to a “T-Bird,” a “Little Deuce Coupe” and a “four-speed, dual-quad, Posi-Traction 409.” Meanwhile, personalized lowriders that emerged from L.A.’s Chicano culture of the 1970s came to symbolize California’s brand of individualism, showcased in countless movies and music videos.

California’s spirit of freedom radiates through its signature leisure pursuits, including surfing on sunlit waves, “catching air” on skateboards and free-climbing on dramatic rock faces.

Of course, Californians also enjoy more relaxed leisure activities, such as splashing around in swimming pools — a quintessential pastime of the Golden State. A flight over Southern California reveals thousands of bright blue backyard oases, glittering amidst the urban landscape. It’s the sight of these pools that inspired artist David Hockney in the 1960s and ’70s to create his iconic series of pool paintings, now celebrated as symbols of California leisure.

Today, swimming pools offer an escape from the digital world — a peaceful sanctuary from constant electronic communication. “When you’re in the pool you can’t really use your phone. So, you’re on a floatie, you’ve got your book and your drink, and you finally can’t be reached,” says Natalia Molina, Distinguished Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity and Dean’s Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity. This sense of detachment makes pools a perfect symbol of California leisure — relaxed, sunny and untethered.

Going for Gold

The backyard pool is also a hallmark of the enviable California suburban lifestyle, immortalized in popular TV shows such as The Brady Bunch and The O.C. This rosy version of suburbia emerged alongside booming industries such as aerospace, manufacturing and Hollywood, drawing millions to the region in search of a middle-class existence — or, preferably, a lifestyle that ranked a rung or two higher on the socioeconomic ladder.

Starr, who died in 2017, encapsulated this sentiment in the magazine Boom California in January of that year. “I frequently use the phrase ‘a better life for ordinary people.’ That, I think, sums up the top three values motivating migration to California: life, the improvement of life, the ability of ordinary people to achieve such improvement for themselves.”

For some, the pathway to upward mobility starts at street corners and in parking lots. There, a distinctly Californian spirit of DIY entrepreneurship can be seen at work in pop-up tents and trucks, as intrepid “taqueros” serve up tacos, burritos and other fare.

These small businesses have become beloved fixtures in California’s renowned food scene, bolstered by fresh ingredients from the state’s abundant agricultural industry — the most productive in the nation.

Many food trucks and stands are operated by immigrants, who often arrive with limited job opportunities. This type of work represents more than a job, says Molina. It allows people to take greater control of their lives.

“Yes, it’s a very difficult job; you see taqueros unpacking and packing their stands every single day on the sidewalk,” she says. “But through their food, they engage with the public, sharing the richness of their culture and where they come from. In the process, they communicate a fuller sense of who they are as people, not just as workers.”

Star is Born

This quintessentially Californian pursuit of autonomy and personal freedom extends to those chasing more glamourous dreams. Afterall, this is the birthplace of Hollywood, which practically invented the concept of celebrity. California’s role as America’s grand stage dates back more than a century, says Distinguished Professor Steven Ross, Dean’s Professor of History.

When World War I broke out in 1914, European film production ground to a halt, adding to the growing demand for American movies, says Ross, Myron and Marian Casden Director of the Casden Institute for the Study of Jewish Role in American Life.

“The movie industry suddenly had access to a potentially unlimited market and only needed to expand its output. Executives sought a location where they could make movies pretty much year-round, unlike the East Coast, which offered just 180 days a year of suitable weather.”

Southern California’s sunny climate fit the bill, as did its cheap land, sparse labor unions and diverse natural landscapes. “The region boasted every type of potential scenery imaginable: city, desert, mountains,” Ross says. “It was the perfect setting to launch an industry.”

Hollywood has survived revolutions in technology, shifting consumer tastes, and rising costs, demonstrating its enduring strength even as many productions relocated to less costly locales.

The young — and not-so-young — still arrive daily, hoping to “get discovered,” despite enduringly slim chances. This dogged resilience against overwhelming odds — even in the face of dashed dreams — may be the final, defining element of California’s spirit.

Peter Westwick, professor of the practice of Thematic Option and history, illustrates this tenacity by invoking the words of William Brewer, a 19th-century scientist who traveled extensively across the state with the California Geological Survey. Westwick notes that in early 1862, Brewer observed, “No people can so stand calamity as this people. They are used to it. Everyone is familiar with the history of fortunes quickly made and as quickly lost.”

California’s spirit is one of boundless optimism, where dreams of freedom, fortune, and reinvention continue to inspire new generations. From its endless freeways symbolizing personal liberation to the creativity of Hollywood and the resilience of aspirational newcomers, the state remains a beacon of possibility.

Even in the face of challenges, Californians persist, embodying the enduring belief that with grit and vision, a better future is always within reach. It is this unshakable pursuit of the California Dream that defines the Golden State, ensuring its story continues to inspire future generations.